– At the halfway point of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the new technical regulations with their much greater focus on electric energy and energy management continue to divide the opinions of fans and drivers.
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According to Formula 1, their fan base has reacted largely positively to the races so far, as shown by their “Formula 1 Fan Voice” program. This consists of a group of 60,000 fans who rate the entertainment value of each Grand Prix.
According to Formula 1, last year 60 percent of this group rated the races as “good” or “excellent,” while this figure has risen to 66 percent in 2026.
Curiously, the rating for Spa increased by 24 percent according to Formula 1 despite all the energy management issues, while the Hungarian Grand Prix – which many hardcore fans saw as the most natural-feeling race of the first half of the season – received exactly the same rating as a year earlier.
According to Formula 1’s own data, only the British Grand Prix received a significantly worse rating than the previous year. Formula 1 attributes this to the race ending behind the safety car and the 2025 British Grand Prix being described as “very eventful.”
However, the drivers expressed themselves much more critically. Max Verstappen immediately described the current regulations during the winter tests as “Formula E on steroids” and has since been supported by many of his fellow drivers.
Especially on energy-hungry tracks like Silverstone and Spa, the drivers found the 2026 cars difficult to drive. Oscar Piastri also pointed to the “self-learning elements” of the power units, meaning that drivers can be surprised by “predictive algorithms.”
Domenicali: Everyone can have an opinion!
At a media round at the start of the summer break, Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali nevertheless emphasized that the sport as a whole is in a very strong position: “I think the situation we live in today is really great,” said the Italian.
“The championship is at an absolute high in terms of spectator numbers – the people who come to the track, and the people who, whether new or old fans, appreciate the success of our work.”
When asked whether the criticism from the drivers was stronger than Formula 1 had expected at the start of the year, Domenicali replied: “You know me: We are not here to silence anyone. I mean, the beauty of our sport is that everyone can have an opinion, but an opinion is just an opinion.”
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“There is someone who has the duty to set a line. There are certain drivers who naturally prefer certain things. I think we have highlighted in the process that we need to be constructive in this regard.”
Domenicali says it is important to understand how the FIA and Formula 1 ended up in this situation in the first place. When discussions about the current regulations began, the automotive industry was clearly pushing towards electromobility. To avoid being left with only two engine manufacturers, the sport had to move in this direction to some extent.
“I come back to the point that this change was linked to a reason, and that was a vital reason. Otherwise, we would be sitting here today talking about our sport as if it were a different sport. So that was adjusted.”
Criticism yes, but constructive, please!
Domenicali emphasizes, however, that the drivers’ statements must remain constructive, as in his view no one benefits from pure negativity. That is why the Italian prefers to discuss such matters behind closed doors – something he recently did again with Verstappen.
“I think, as you know me, that I prefer to discuss things respectfully behind closed doors to find solutions. But as I said: I think the louder you speak out about certain things that go beyond the norm, the more the negativity is no longer directed at the sport but becomes personal. I think everyone has understood that.”
Finally, Domenicali highlights that as CEO of Formula 1 he has to keep the big picture in mind – not just the drivers’ criticism, but also what is best for the sport as a whole, including the commercial perspective.
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“And in this regard, as I said, you know very well how much I appreciate the jewel that our drivers are. But of course, they have to understand that there is a path we have to walk together.”
“And the fans always come first, even before everyone else, even before me. They (the drivers; editor’s note) can have a personal opinion, but I have the duty to summarize what is best for the sport,” said Domenicali.
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“But I think the situation today with all parties involved is very strong and very solid. So we have to look ahead and make sure the sport grows – as I said, all together in the right way.”
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